Migration route to Europe deemed 'most dangerous'

GENEVA, Switzerland, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- More than 3,000 migrants died in 2014 attempting to cross the Mediterranean into Europe, the International Organization for Migration said in a report published Monday.

That number constitutes 75 percent of all recorded migrant deaths between January and September 2014.

Although IOM acknowledged it was "not entirely clear" why most of the deaths occurred in the Mediterranean region, the report concluded that it "likely reflects a dramatic increase in the number of migrants trying to reach Europe."

"Many are fleeing conflict, persecution and poverty, with Eritreans and Syrians constituting the largest share of arrivals in Italy this year. The deteriorating security situation in Libya, where many migrants reside prior to their departure for Europe, has also increased migration pressures."

"It is time to do more than count the number of victims," said IOM Director General William Lacy Swing. "It is time to engage the world to stop this violence against desperate migrants."

According to the "Fatal Journeys" report, there are several steps that can be taken to reduce the number of migrant fatalities.

IOM is calling for better data collection -- by an independent monitoring body that promotes data collection on global migrant deaths, by national governments in partnership with civil society organizations, and through innovative data initiatives such as utilizing online mapping tools to track migrant route changes and help direct humanitarian assistance.

"Although vast sums of money are spent collecting migration and border control data, very few agencies collect and publish data on migrant deaths," observed IOM Head of Research Frank Laczko.